“Let her take the lead. She’ll tell you when she’s ready.” Luke took the last bite of his sandwich and balled up the wrapper. “For what it’s worth, I think Autumn is lovely. You’ve seemed a lot happier since you started dating her.”
That made Cody frown. “I didn’t realize I seemed unhappy.”
“That’s not what I meant.” Luke reached round his brother’s back and tossed the wrapper in the cooler. “You’re just more relaxed, that’s all. More settled.”
Cody took that in, leaning back on his elbows. “I really like her, Luke. She’s beautiful and smart and caring. She’s always the first to offer help to someone else if they need it. She’s…amazing.”
Luke grinned at him. “Sounds like you’re smitten, and I couldn’t be happier for you.” He placed his hand on Cody’s knee and gave it a quick squeeze. “Don’t worry too much about the virgin thing, Cody. If it’s really bothering you then just ask her. That way you’ll know for sure.” The smile slid off his face. “Make sure she knows it’s not a big deal, though. She might be nervous about it if she is a virgin.”
Cody sat up again. “You’re right.”
“What?” Luke cupped his ear. “I’m sorry, I’m not sure I heard what you said. Could you repeat that?”
“Shut up.” Cody shoved his brother, making him laugh. “You heard me just fine.”
Luke shoved him back. “Come on, this cabin won’t build itself. You going to stay and help me?”
“Yeah, I can stay for a few hours, but I’ve got to get home and clean up. Autumn’s coming over for dinner.”
“What are you serving her tonight? Sausage?”
Cody gave him a dirty look, which only made Luke burst into loud laughter. “I’ll have you know that I’m serving her a hearty beef casserole.”
That stopped Luke in his tracks. “You’re having Mom cook dinner for Autumn?”
Cody sniffed. “I am not having Mom cook dinner for Autumn, asshole.” He paused for a few moments. “She was making the casserole anyway and offered.”
Luke’s mouth twitched, obviously trying hard to hide a smile. “Totally different then.”
“You want these babies Evie’s carrying to be the last ones you have?”
The elder of the twins stood up and gazed down at his brother. “Let’s hope you’re not all talk, no action when it comes to Autumn.”
Cody’s jaw fell open. “That’s it. You’re going down.”
He got up and leapt on Luke’s back playfully, and the two brothers roughhoused until Luke tapped out. “Come on, bud. Let’s get this bathroom finished and call it a day.”
Once they were satisfied with their work, Cody rode his horse back to the ranch alongside Luke in his truck.
He handed the animal off to Mason, one of the ranch hands, who offered to take care of him. After giving Sabre a pat, he went over to Luke and Evie’s cabin.
He found his sister-in-law standing in front of his brother, frowning as she held his chin in her hand. “What happened to your face? You’ve got a scratch on it.”
“Cody hurt me.” Luke pretended to get upset, then gave the brother in question a sly grin.
Evie swung around, hands on her hips, her blossoming belly visible. “You did this to Luke?”
“You can barely see it. He’s being a crybaby. You ready to have three children to take care of?”
The corners of her mouth turned up as she fought a smile. “Get over here, mister.”
He went over to her and eased his arms around her waist, giving her the charming grin that had gotten him out of trouble more times than he could count. She tipped her head back to look up at him and he kissed her nose affectionately. “Your belly’s getting bigger.”
She sighed. “Don’t remind me. It’s going to be a whole lot bigger by the time these two are ready to hatch.”
“You look beautiful. Pregnancy suits you.”
“You want to stay for dinner?”
“I’d love to, but Autumn’s coming over tonight.”
“Tomorrow night, then. I’ll cook you something special.”
“Deal.”
“Hey, how come you don’t cook something special for me?” Luke sounded indignant, and Cody smiled as he looked at his brother.
“Oh, please.” Evie waved her hand dismissively. “You get blow jobs.”
Cody snorted with laughter before ducking his head. “I’d take blow jobs over a special meal any day.”
Luke’s face broke out in a smile that matched his twin’s. “Me, too.”
“Okay, I need to get out of here and tidy up at home.” Cody dropped a kiss on Evie’s cheek and punched his brother in the arm before climbing into his truck and driving over to his cabin.
Diana dropped by with the casserole and some crusty rolls she’d made from scratch. The aroma of the meal made his mouth water, and he gave his mom a long hug in thanks.
She placed the dish in the oven and turned it on low to keep dinner warm, then left him to tidy up the cabin in anticipation of Autumn’s arrival.
As he waited for her to show up, he realized his feelings for her were already beyond that of a casual fling. He didn’t want something casual or temporary with Autumn Grant.
The woman with the long, dark hair and deep brown eyes had bewitched him and captured his heart, and he wanted to do so many things with her and to her. Not just in the bedroom, but outside it, too. Go horseback riding. Take a road trip somewhere.
Be able to take her on a date in Aurora Springs without fear of being seen by Jed Grant.
Cody was beginning to suspect that the patriarch of the Grant family hid a side of him that nobody saw except his wife and daughter. Sure, the whole town knew he was a miser who didn’t like people in general, but Cody wondered if there was more to it at home.
He hoped with all of his heart that Jed wasn’t abusing the women. Cody vowed to take action if he found out Ruth and Autumn Grant were being abused by Jed. He wasn’t going to stand by and let it happen.
The thought it might have been going on all these years without anyone in Aurora Springs knowing made his heart ache.
Autumn and her mother were good women who deserved nothing but love.
Love.
Before he could really think more about that particular emotion, the front door opened and Autumn appeared like a mirage in the desert.
“Hi, gorgeous.”
Her smile lit up the room. It was painfully obvious to Cody that she wasn’t used to being lavished with praise or being paid a compliment, and he was determined to make sure she heard plenty from him.
“Hello, handsome.” She closed the door behind her, dumped her tote bag on the sofa, and was in his arms two seconds later.
He kissed the hell out of her before she could utter another word, and by the time he let her go she was breathing heavily. “That was quite the welcome.”
“Always happy to see you.” He kissed her forehead. “How was your day?”
“Busy. We completely sold out of pies. It seems everyone in town wanted to stock up on supplies today.”
“That’s a good thing. More income for you.”
She bristled in his arms, just enough that he noticed, before giving him a smile that seemed a little forced. “Yes, it’s very good.”
Something in her voice told him a different story, but Cody didn’t want to push her to talk. He hoped that one day, she’d feel comfortable enough to confide in him.
To lighten the mood, he changed the subject. “Hang on a moment, you sold all the pies?”
The smile she gave him this time was genuine. “Don’t worry, Deputy. I made one this morning, especially for you.” She brushed her lips against his.
He reluctantly released her to let her pull a small box out of her tote. “What flavor is this one?”
“It’s a strawberry pie, but I made a strawberry crust instead of a plain one.”
He licked his lips. “That sounds delicious. This need to go in the fridge?”
&
nbsp; “It does.”
Cody took the box from Autumn and she followed him into the kitchen. “Speaking of delicious things, what’s for dinner?”
“Beef casserole with homemade crusty rolls.”
“Oh, yum! That was kind of Diana to give us some.”
He looked over at her indignantly. “What makes you think I didn’t cook the casserole for you?”
She laughed. “Come on, Cody. You can cook a delicious meal on the grill but whipping up a casserole isn’t in your repertoire and we both know it.”
“Rude.” He pulled her close, wrapped his hand around the back of her head, and kissed her long and slow. “You haven’t seen all of my talents yet.”
Her eyes widened, the innuendo not lost on her. Her hands slid underneath his tee, her fingers caressing his warm skin. “I hope to one day.”
Without realizing it, Autumn had given him the perfect opening to bring up the subject that had been on his mind as of late. “I’m ready when you are.” He kissed her lips softly. “And I just want you to know that there’s no rush. We can go as slow as you need to. It’s totally okay if you’ve never done this before.”
Autumn gazed at him puzzledly, and then the corners of her mouth started to curl up. It almost looked like she was trying not to laugh, which confused him. “Oh, Cody.” She kissed his mouth and dissolved into giggles.
“Care to share the joke?”
She slid her arms around his neck and pressed her body up against his, which made certain parts of him harder than they’d been moments before. Her curves always turned him on.
“You’re such a sweet man, you know that? I adore you for being concerned, but…” She trailed off and moved her mouth so it was right next to his ear. “I’m not a virgin.”
He let out a breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding. “You’re not?”
“No.” She pulled back far enough to look at him. “I can’t proclaim to be very experienced, but I did date someone when I was younger and we had sex.”
As irrational as it was, Cody felt a surge of jealousy rush through him. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to assume anything.”
She placed her fingers over his lips, silencing him. “No, don’t apologize. I never want you to apologize for being considerate.” Moving her finger out of the way, she kissed him over and over.
Cody felt his cock harden even more. He kissed her one final time. “We need to stop, because you’re making it really hard not to throw you over my shoulder and have my wicked way with you in the bedroom.”
The smile she gave him could only be described as sultry. “I noticed.”
He slapped her ass lightly and she gasped. “Let’s eat.”
Autumn insisted on serving the meal, so Cody set the table and poured them each a glass of white wine. They talked companionably about a variety of topics as they ate, but as the meal wore on, he became fixated on her lips.
She kept licking them, and every time her tongue darted out, he wondered what that tongue would feel like licking his cock.
“You okay?”
Her question shook him out of his reverie and he shifted uncomfortably in his seat. “Yeah, darlin’. I’m fine.”
“Penny for your thoughts?”
He wondered how red her face would go if he told her. “That all you’re offering?”
She blinked at him, her expression a picture of innocence. “Are they worth more than that?”
His mouth fell open, a strangled sound escaping his throat. “Why, you—”
He pushed his chair back and pulled her over to him. She straddled his lap, still laughing, but when he started to lift up her top, she stopped moving.
“Cody.”
She breathed his name as he pulled it up just far enough to expose her chest. Underneath, he discovered her bra was red and lacy. Without warning, he leaned forward and licked her nipple through the material.
Autumn let out a gasp and flung her head back, her eyes closed and her mouth open. Cody then pulled the lace aside and flicked his tongue over the now exposed tip of her breast. “Yes. More.”
He toyed with her a little longer before closing his lips around the hard peak and sucking on it.
She wriggled on his lap, her pussy perilously close to his cock. Oh God. What he wouldn’t give to strip her naked and fuck her right there and then on the dining table. She’d be so tight. So hot. So fucking wet.
He was so hard he ached. For release. For her.
Releasing her nipple with a loud pop, he lavished the same attention on the other one until they were both hard and wet. Her breasts were gorgeous. Nice and round, a generous handful. He wanted to cup them while he fucked her from behind and play with her nipples until she shuddered underneath him.
Instead, he fixed her bra and stood, taking her up with him. Cupping her face, he kissed her. “It’s getting late, and I know you have to get home.”
Her eyes were glazed over, and she shook her head, blinking. “You’re right, I should get going.”
Cody’s heart sank, but he nodded and managed a smile. “I’ll walk you out.”
7
Autumn insisted on helping Cody load up the dishwasher before she left, and then studied his profile as he turned it on. They’d been dating for three months now, and although they’d kissed more times than she could count, they’d never really gone much further than that, tonight’s activities notwithstanding.
She’d let him run his hand up her top and play with her nipples a few times during make-out sessions, but tonight had been the first time he’d sucked on them, causing desire to ricochet through her.
He’d been nothing but respectful and hadn’t pushed her in any way, shape, or form into going to bed with him. But she wanted to. Desperately. The idea of sleeping with Cody had consumed her thoughts for weeks, and she was finally ready to take that step.
Autumn didn’t trust men easily. She knew that as truth. Between her father and the only other man she’d dated, she felt used. A means to an end.
But Cody Whittaker was different. He made her dinner because he wanted to. He kissed her because he wanted to. He touched her because he wanted to.
He’d agreed to keep their relationship quiet without hesitation or doubt. It was a lot to ask of him, but he’d never once voiced any annoyance about it.
She wanted to stay the night in his cabin. In his arms. In his bed.
Him inside her.
She let out a small squeak at the notion, and Cody gave her a puzzled look. “You okay?”
Autumn nodded enthusiastically. “Oh, yes, I’m fine. Sorry, just thinking about something.”
“Penny for your thoughts.”
She raised her eyebrows and gave the only response she could. “Is that all they’re worth?”
His grin warmed her all over. “Not to me.”
“You’re sweet, but it’s nothing.” She reached up and stroked his cheek with the backs of her fingers.
“If you won’t share your thoughts, I’ll have to kiss them right out of your head.”
Cody pulled her to him, slanting his mouth over hers in a long, hot kiss that left Autumn feeling as though she was floating.
“Objective achieved.”
He kissed her again and then released her. “Come on, I’ll walk you out to your car.” He didn’t realize she hadn’t followed him to the front door until he got there and turned around.
Autumn took a deep breath. “No.”
He stared at her, his brows furrowing. “No? You don’t want me to walk you to your car?”
“No, I don’t want to leave.”
“Okay.” She could tell he was still a little puzzled by her declaration. “You want to watch a movie?”
“No, Cody. I don’t want to watch a movie.” It was now or never, and she shored up the courage to tell the man she was falling in love with exactly what she wanted. “I want to go to bed. With you.”
The look on his face went from confused to lustful as her words sank in. “Ar
e you sure, Autumn? You know you don’t have to do anything you’re not ready to. I’m happy to wait as long as I need to.”
“I’m sure, sweetheart. I want to sleep with you. Tonight.”
Cody didn’t need to be told twice. One moment he was still standing by the door, the next she was in his arms and he was kissing her hungrily. He walked her backward toward his bedroom, his tongue exploring her mouth, and all she could do was cling to him.
When the back of her knees hit the mattress, he tore his mouth away from hers and she opened her eyes. The lamp on the nightstand was on, providing enough illumination for them to see each other, but not enough to ruin the mood.
They were both breathing heavily, and she could see the desire in his eyes. He wanted her as badly as she did him, and Autumn knew somehow that this was a huge turning point in their relationship. Once she had sex with Cody Whittaker, her heart would belong to him.
That scared her, but she wanted to jump off that cliff with him anyway.
“Darlin’, if at any time you want to stop, just say the word, okay? Doesn’t matter what we’re doing. I can stop.”
She ran her fingers over his mouth, his lips soft and wet from her kisses. “I don’t want to stop. I want to make love to you, Cody, and then stay the night. Here, in your arms.”
He took her hand in his and lifted it up to his lips, kissing the back of it. “I want all of that, too. Can I undress you?”
She nodded, gave him a smile, and stood still as he pulled her top up over her head. He touched the swell of her breast over her bra, her nipples still hard from his mouth, and she shivered, breaking out in goosebumps.
This man’s touch made her feel desired. Wanted.
Loved.
He pushed down one of the straps and kissed her shoulder, then did the same to the other before reaching around to undo the bra. He slid it off her arms, dropped it on the floor next to them, and gazed at her breasts.
She resisted the sudden, strange urge to cross her arms over her chest, and when Cody dipped his head and flicked his tongue over her nipple, she let out a cry.
He sucked the already hard tip into his mouth, and she couldn’t stop the moans that escaped her lips as lust coursed through her body.
Finding Home (Being Home Book 2) Page 5
